Bengaluru airport ships 29 million rose stems this Valentine’s season

This marks a remarkable 108% increase on-year (Representational picture)

Bengaluru Airport has shipped 29 million rose stems, totalling 1,222,860 kg during this Valentine's season.

"This is a remarkable 108 percent increase in tonnage processed compared to the same period last year," said Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) on February 14.

"Bengaluru airport has solidified its reputation as the number one hub for perishables in India, surpassing last year's bouquet of 15.4 million stems. The airport witnessed exponential growth in both international and domestic rose shipments, with 9 million stems bound for international destinations, marking a 14 percent increase from last year, and 20 million stems shipped domestically, reflecting a remarkable 148% increase," BIAL statement said.

The top international destinations for roses from Bengaluru are Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kuwait, Manila, and Sharjah. Meanwhile, the top domestic cities include Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur.

The statement said critical importance of maintaining quality, temperature control, and ensuring faster turnaround times for perishable items like roses.

"Bengaluru airport has invested in real-time tracking to empower stakeholders to proactively address temperature excursions, ensuring the integrity of sensitive products. Advanced monitoring at dedicated cold chain centers guarantees an unbroken cold chain, translating into faster handling, enhanced security, and sustainable practices," it said.

"Looking ahead, Bengaluru airport, in collaboration with its partner WFS Bengaluru Pvt Ltd., is committed to expanding its cold chain capacity to around 80,000 metric tonnes per annum and investing in the export of perishables," the statement added.

Also, read: Bengaluru airport most profitable in India in FY23, Ahmedabad incurs highest losses